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Rising popularity of dark tourism, what’s the appeal?

Chances are that you have come across the term dark tourism before. Perhaps you are familiar with the Netflix show of the similar name. While there are many negative connotations associated with this style of travel genre, dark tourism is also an important part of modern society. What gives?

As tourism gets more accessible, the demand for the new and exciting grows with it. Constant desire for new experiences along with what seems to be our obsession with death, have created a new wave of tourists. However, despite the catchy new name, most of us have become dark tourists at some point without even realizing it.

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Definition of dark tourism

Wikipedia defines dark tourism as “involving travel to places historically associated with death and tragedy.” Some of us do so without giving it much thought. We have been doing so for centuries. There is a human need to understand the past and unfortunately, places associated with gruesome deaths and atrocities provide that opportunity. We visit places of death and sorrow for various reasons. Whether consciously planning it or not, the motivations are very similar.

Many travellers who seek out such places do so to understand the past and pay respects to those that lost their lives there. These places show us a glimpse into the darkness as well as the perseverance of the human soul. Is it a fun and carefree experience? Definitely not, but neither is life.

There are many negative connotations associated with dark tourism. Some view it as perverse or inappropriate. Others don’t understand the appeal. However, dark tourism is not about people taking smiling selfies while visiting concentrations camps. There is a poignant element there that can transform you into a more conscious and open-minded traveller.

Types of dark tourism

Despite of what we might imagine, the elements that categorize dark tourism are more familiar to us that you can imagine. There are different categories that make up this very broad genre and they often overlap. There are a number of loose definitions out there and I’ve grouped them into few sub-categories that share a certain theme or association. Keep in mind that these can be even further broken down, depending on how specific you want to get.

Natural and man-made disaster sights

The power of nature can inspire awe in all of us. It can destroy cities and lives in seconds, changing landscapes and history. When we make a mess, intentional or otherwise, nature has a way to take over.

Think of places like Fukushima, Chernobyl or Pompeii. All show us how fast life can change due to a human error or the unforgiving power of Mother Nature. I think these types of places draw us because they make us question our mortality. We relate to the people who were going on about their daily lives, unaware of a disaster lurking around the corner. We can imagine the fear, panic and desperation of their last moments and we feel for them. Understanding these unfortunate events also provides us with tools that help us be better at preventing and predicting similar disasters.

Resting places of the dead

A visit to the cemetery might not seem like a touristy thing to do, but for many people out there, cemeteries rank high on their must-see list of attractions. Resting places, especially of the famous or the infamous, fall under types of dark tourism that have been popular for generations. People have been glorifying their dead since the beginning of time, so it’s no wonder that we are drawn to monuments, shrines, catacombs and cemeteries.

Pere Lachaise in Paris, one of the most famed cemeteries, is home to many famous residents that attract throngs of visitors each year. Some graves, like the ones of Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison, had barriers installed to protect them from damage caused by the eager visitors. Some come to show respect, others to feel closer to their idols. There are also those that do it for kicks. The intent sometimes becomes a blurred line.

Monuments like the Pantheon, Sedlec Ossuary in Czech Republic, Paris’ catacombs or the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin have all become popular tourist destinations. They provide us with real connection to the past and the people that left their mark on history.

Sites of atrocities, massacres, terrorism

Places associated with mass deaths are also making the list of types of dark tourism sites that visitors flock to in huge numbers. Visiting battlefields, mass execution and genocide sites can be educational and commemorative. It also evokes many feelings in us including anger and sorrow toward the perpetrators and their victims. It allows us to grieve for those that lost their lives in such tragic circumstance and pay our respects.

The Cambodian killing fields or the 911 Memorial are just some of the places that fall into this category. We easily identify with them and for many, they are still very fresh in their minds. While you might not automatically think the same of the Colosseum in Rome, it too, has been the site of mass executions. Many human and animal lives were lost here for the entertainment and pleasure of others. Judging by numbers of visitors each year, the Colosseum’s dark past hasn’t dampened its appeal.

Places of torture, persecution and confinement

While the prisoners of Alcatraz spent their days dreaming of lost freedom, today the infamous prison is a tourist attraction where people pay money to visit. The Tower of London, once a fear-inducing landmark, is now a tourist attraction for crowds flocking to the city. Toronto’s own Don Jail, once an infamous prison, is now an administrative office that offers visitors access to the former jail cells and areas during the annual Doors Open Toronto.

These places, once meant to confine and punish, have acquired an element of entertainment that sometimes loses the historical significance of what actually happened there and the many lives that were lost in the process.

It’s a different story for places like the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp where the reminders of past atrocities are still very visible today. The reality of the horrors that occurred here is inescapable. They are reminders of a dark past and a hope for the future. Judging by the increasing numbers of visitors arriving through the gates each year, that isn’t stopping people from visiting.

Sensational sites

There is something about lives and deaths of famous people that seems to fascinate us. Where they lived and died often becomes a destination for fans across generations. Think of the assassination of JFK, shooting of John Lennon, Gianni Versace or even the site of Princess Diana’s car crash. Each place has become an important thread in the fabric of today society. Maybe it’s not something that automatically comes to mind when you think of dark tourism, but it’s exactly that.

Hollywood tours of dead celebrity homes, former estates of dictators, drug dealers and other notorious figures of the past have been attracting visitors in huge numbers. They become just another element in the long list of dark tourism attractions. Curiosity more so than anything else is probably one of the strongest reasons for these type of places to visit. After all, the best way to understand the past is to walk in the footsteps of those that shaped it.

Dark exhibitions

Dark exhibitions have been attracting people for centuries. Quite often, their intent is to educate, commemorate and honour the death and suffering. In the past, however, I think they mainly aimed to satisfy curiosity and provide shock value. From shrunken heads and Egyptian mummies to displaying “oddities” at fairs, our ancestor were drawn to the macabre.

Today, dark exhibitions are usually temporary and travel around different locations. From visuals documenting events or the human conditions, objects from significant sights or focusing on specific people, the subjects are endless. Some subject still spark controversy and debate, proving that not all of us agree on the matter.

You might recall the Body Worlds exhibition that has been touring the world since 1995. It offers visitors an opportunity to see the human body under the skin. It aims to educate people about human bodies and the health effects of different lifestyles. The exhibition caused a stir when it came out. Seeing real human specimens laid out in different anatomical poses didn’t go over well with everyone, but the overall takeaway was positive.

Experiential/Risk tourism

This category seems to be the most niche of all types of dark tourism. Visiting active war zones, slums and other dangerous areas for the experience seems to be a sub-group of its own. The danger risk aside, this type of travel has a voyeuristic element that doesn’t sit well with some. In Brazil, you’ll find many tours that take visitors through the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. Unlike visiting places dedicated to the dead, here you deal with real people whose lives are on display for someone else’s entertainment.

Are we learning and expanding our views or are we just making ourselves feel better about our lives? This seems to be the dilemma associated with these type of experiences. Are they helpful to the locals or do they completely exploit them?

While illegal border crossings by undocumented immigrants are a very real element of people’s lives today, you too, can go through the experience. What does paying for a simulated border Mexico/USA crossing experience say about you? Some argue it provides an insight of the desperate plight of people looking for better lives. To others, it undermines a dangerous and emotional reality faced by many each day.

History of dark tourism

Dark tourism might be the latest catch phrase, but the concept isn’t new at all. Our fascination with death and murder has existed since the beginning of time. Times when death, especially by violent means, was a common occurrence also made it acceptable for entertainment.

The Romans, famous for obliterating those that got in their way, celebrated victories with the death of others. Victorious generals returning home often brought with them the riches stolen from those they conquered. Often they also brought slaves and paraded them in front of cheering crowds. People would travel from nearby towns to partake in celebrations or attend spectacles held at the Colosseum and other Roman theatres. They came with the purpose of seeing death and murder. They were early dark tourists, before that was even a concept.

Public execution ware also an early form of dark tourism. Held in the local town square, execution were often another form of entertainment for the masses. Whole families would travel from nearby towns to witness public hangings, beheadings and other forms of punishment deemed fit the crime.

During the 17th and 18th century, asylum tourism flourished in Britain. Bedlam, London’s first mental hospital, became a source of entertainment for the ghoulish public, who laughed, pointed and mocked the mentally ill. Not only were the conditions of the patients deplorable, the visiting public often exploited them as well. In later years, as institutions for the mentally ill were improved, people were encouraged to admire the architecture and design as part of their visit.

Dark tourism motivation

As mentioned before, there are many different motivations behind dark tourism. As the conversations around the subject evolve, so does the understanding of why we do it. Understanding what dark tourism is allows us to figure out the why.

It’s not a new concept, but an evolving one. A long time ago, I saw a movie called Thrill Seekers and it has always stuck in my head. The movie is about a reporter who comes across a strange man who appears at various disaster sights over many years. Through a series of events, he uncovers that the man is from the future where a company – Thrill Seekers – offers travellers an opportunity to travel back in time to various catastrophes right before they happen. You can stroll on the deck of the Titanic before it hits the iceberg or enjoy a flight before everyone on board dies in a fiery crash, all the time being able to leave just in time to avoid your own death.

As dark tourism and technology evolve, such a scenario is not that far-fetched. With that, however, comes another issue that seems to be associated with this type of travel – ethics.

Ethics around dark tourism

I think most people can agree that we need to learn about our past, honour the lives lost and pay respects to the dead. The contention seems to be around why we do it and how the funds collected from the visitors are used. Many places use the funds on maintenance and staff costs. That seems perfectly reasonable when you look at sheer size of some of these places.

Is this the case with the favela tours? What about the illegal border crossing experience? Hard to say.

Most people visit dark places wanting to pay their respects. As history shows, people have done it in the past for entertainment. There are probably many today who do it for the thrills (war zones might come to mind). While we might question the motivations of others, it’s important to understand why we do it ourselves.

I’ve visited the Tower of London, walked the streets of Pompeii as well as many other places that are associated with death and suffering. I’ve felt sorrow for those that died there, their pain and suffering. At the same time, I think I’ve grown as a person and that experience has allowed me to look at the world around me with different eyes.

Why is dark tourism so popular today?

I think dark tourism has always been popular, but nobody really talked about it. There wasn’t a name for it until recently. As we look into the past, we can identify the elements that existed before we knew what to call it.

Accessibility and availability are also contributing to the rise of dark tourism, as more places seem eager to capitalize on their dark past. There will always be a question of whether this is respecting the dead or exploiting their memories. The answer lies with us. How we act and where we spend our money as travellers.

How about you? Are you a dark tourist? Let me know what places you’ve been to and what your experience was.

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21 comments

I had no idea there is such a thing as dark tourism. I’ve certainly done it. I’ve visited numerous cemeteries, also the ones that are not like famous because of someone, but also the “ordinary” ones. I think it can give you a glimpse into a culture you are visiting. Important thing is that you are respectful at such places and do not disturb the locals visiting graves.

It seems that the term dark tourism is making a name for itself, but many like you and I have been doing it for a long time. I agree that is is about being respectful and taking it as an opportunity to learn about our past.

Well, I think I do dark tourism from time to time. Just like places that hold a big of a different atmosphere, but it is not necessary associated with death etc. I like abandoned industrial sites and light installations at night. Was thinking to go to Chernobyl, but wasn’t able to make it to Ukraine…

I agree with Heather W. I think it’s important to visit some of these places – like Tuol Sleng. It’s an essential part of the country’s history and I think it helps you to understand the behaviour of people now as well. If you want to try and get a feel for a country, you need to delve into it’s past – good and bad. I’ve also visited townships in Cape Town etc. But I think it’s important to do this responsibly – look where the money is going/who’s going to benefit – and be respectful. Don’t stick your camera in people’s faces etc. I guess everyone just needs to do what they feel comfortable with, but we should think about it, and ask ourselves why we’re doing it.

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I’ve never heard of dark tourism before. I need to go watch this show on Netflix and find out all about it.

I did not know that there was a term for this but you’re right, without even naming it or realising, a lot of us have been dark tourists at some or the other time in our lives. I have personally visited a lot of cemeteries, graveyards, places of massacre and burial grounds of war victims, even exhibitions of torture such as museums, etc. We have a strange kind of obsession with death – and I guess that’s because it intrigues us, we do not really understand it, there’s so much uncertainty revolved around it. Very insightful post, giving a term to an activity that we have already been indulging in for several years.

I think you have captured it beautifully. We are intrigued by death. I think because it reminds us of our own mortality. Having said that, the term is just a new name for something we have been already doing. We just know what this is called.

I would say, I am definitely a dark tourist. I have visited Chernobyl, Aushwitz, and the Tuol Sleng Genocide museum to name a few. I go because it makes me a better person – I don’t know if I have enjoyed these trips, but it does allow me to reflect on my role in the world, and the impact on the place I am visiting. I think avoiding these places to go to only to instagram worthy places is irresponsible travel.

I really like the way you said that. I agree, we can’t just visit places because they look great on instagram. I always try to visit significant places that have played an important role on humanity. It’s not always pretty, but it’s necessary. I do think that like you, it makes me a better person.

Beautiful and informative post. I have heard of dark tourism before, but did not know the extent of it until reading your post. Looks like I have been to a few dark tourism places before. I think respecting the dark tourism places needs to touch more people because I see tourists taking selfies and smiling where they really shouldn’t. Like you said, when you visit dark tourism places, you should feel sorrow, pain, etc not smiling.

I totally agree with you about being appropriate when visiting certain places. Unfortunately, some people just don’t know any better or just don’t care. As for the term, dark tourism seems to be a confusing term for many. I know it was for me too until I did some research.

I watched the show on Netflix about this and it was pretty interesting. Some of the things people do are pretty extreme but others are definitely more tame (like going to Pompeii). I can’t imagine doing the more extreme dark tourist things!

This is a very interesting post. I have been to some of the places you mentioned (Pompeii, the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, the Colosseum, the street where John Lennon was killed, and the Body World exhibition) but I didn’t even realize I was being a dark tourist! For some reasons human nature is attracted to histories of death and tragedy. I think dark tourism can be educational, as long as we always show respect.

I can tell you that I have been to many of these places too and have never thought of myself as a dark tourist. I think it’s a relatively new term that quantifies what we have been doing for ages. Totally agree with you about being respectful. We do need to learn of our past and that includes the not-so-great parts too.

Thank you for a much needed post on the new term being used in the tourism sector. I have been to Andaman and Nicobar islands in India where the Indian freedom fighters were sent for persecution by the British army in 19th and 20th century. There is a cellular jail where all the freedom fighters would be tortured and now the story is documented through a sound and light show. I loved the show! After reading your post, I know i love dark tourism! thank you so much. your blog makes me write about the islands now!

I’m glad you enjoyed the post 🙂 Unfortunately, there are many terrible events that took place in the past. It’s important to educate people about it and Nicobar island is a perfect example. Dark tourism seems to be a new term for something that we have been doing for a very long time.

I would never have thought of myself as liking or taking part of dark tourism, but some of your examples made me realize I have. I have been to Alcatraz, the Tower of London Pompeii and probably main others. It is interesting to think about why I visit these places.

I felt exactly the same! I think the new (and very broad) definition is creating a lot of buzz, but when you look at it closely you realize it’s nothing new. I hope it does make people think of why they visit tho.